Knackered 205 GTI - opinions
Discussion
Looking for ideas and opinions on this please.
I have a '91 205 1.6 GTI which has been standing for about five years. Before it was laid up it suffered a cracked block which was successfully patched up with Lock'n'stitch (or something like that). It won't start, the brakes are seized and I know the exhaust and battery need replacing. The shell is, although scruffy, very solid.
Mechanic (I have no mechanical knowledge or ability at all) tells me the airflow meter is likely knackered. With the car standing so long, he also thinks the fuel may have gone off and knackered the injectors (hence not starting). He's quoted me about a grand to replace all the brake parts, battery and exhaust, MOT it and fit a replacement engine and ancillaries (which I'll still need to source from somewhere).
If I was able to put the car back on the road it would be used for shopping trips and general hatchback duties. It wouldn't be used as a rally car, track car, road racer or show car. I just need a hatchback, have owned the 205 for many years and (foolishly) think it would be a shame to scrap it.
I'm asking on here because I've tried other forums and all I get is "advice" along the lines of 'drop a 306 Turbo in it M8' and 'Got a 1.9 ere bud' etc. Pistonheads, obviously, has a different class of punter.
What do you think I should do?
I have a '91 205 1.6 GTI which has been standing for about five years. Before it was laid up it suffered a cracked block which was successfully patched up with Lock'n'stitch (or something like that). It won't start, the brakes are seized and I know the exhaust and battery need replacing. The shell is, although scruffy, very solid.
Mechanic (I have no mechanical knowledge or ability at all) tells me the airflow meter is likely knackered. With the car standing so long, he also thinks the fuel may have gone off and knackered the injectors (hence not starting). He's quoted me about a grand to replace all the brake parts, battery and exhaust, MOT it and fit a replacement engine and ancillaries (which I'll still need to source from somewhere).
If I was able to put the car back on the road it would be used for shopping trips and general hatchback duties. It wouldn't be used as a rally car, track car, road racer or show car. I just need a hatchback, have owned the 205 for many years and (foolishly) think it would be a shame to scrap it.
I'm asking on here because I've tried other forums and all I get is "advice" along the lines of 'drop a 306 Turbo in it M8' and 'Got a 1.9 ere bud' etc. Pistonheads, obviously, has a different class of punter.
What do you think I should do?
I'd fix it up if I was you - I'd quite like a 205 GTI at some point and have browsed the classifieds on occasion so have a rough idea of the value (from non-runners up to decent examples).
As said I think spend what it needs to get it running again (the more you could do yourself the cheaper this will be I suppose, though there isn't much on that list I'd want to tackle myself).
Even if you end up spending £1k-£1.5k you shouldn't lose too much, if any of that amount, if you decide to sell it.
Also say you sell it as is, get say £500 for it, and add the above £1,500 to the pot - what car can you get as a runabout for £2k that would be as cool/fun as a 205 GTI?!
As said I think spend what it needs to get it running again (the more you could do yourself the cheaper this will be I suppose, though there isn't much on that list I'd want to tackle myself).
Even if you end up spending £1k-£1.5k you shouldn't lose too much, if any of that amount, if you decide to sell it.
Also say you sell it as is, get say £500 for it, and add the above £1,500 to the pot - what car can you get as a runabout for £2k that would be as cool/fun as a 205 GTI?!
mackay45 said:
Also say you sell it as is, get say £500 for it, and add the above £1,500 to the pot - what car can you get as a runabout for £2k that would be as cool/fun as a 205 GTI?!
This is what I'm thinking. Put like that it almost makes sense.I'd better start looking for an engine. And a driver's seat. And...
Do it yourself. Get a haynes manual for basic guidance and on the forums for the car in question and just figure it out.
Injectors just need to be cleaned or replaced - whip them out and send them off.
Airflow meter just by a new one.
Halfords socket set will do the brakes.
Even an engine swap (for a good one) is only a case of undoing bolts in the right order.
bar replacing the engine I reckon you've got a couple of weekends work (max). Just looked at ECP - discs, drums, pads, shoes are £130, first injector cleaning place google found is £50.
Change the oil, spark plugs, fuel filter, coolant and figure out the airflow meter (if that is the problem) and I reckon you'll have about £300 in it.
Injectors just need to be cleaned or replaced - whip them out and send them off.
Airflow meter just by a new one.
Halfords socket set will do the brakes.
Even an engine swap (for a good one) is only a case of undoing bolts in the right order.
bar replacing the engine I reckon you've got a couple of weekends work (max). Just looked at ECP - discs, drums, pads, shoes are £130, first injector cleaning place google found is £50.
Change the oil, spark plugs, fuel filter, coolant and figure out the airflow meter (if that is the problem) and I reckon you'll have about £300 in it.
CooperS said:
belleair302 said:
Turn it into either a junior track car or a rally car...strip the inside, sell the parts online and spend some money on suspension, a cage, the transmission and engine.
Then drive to the shops and work like you said in the initial post...........I have a 205 gti and am confident I know a fair bit about them, having done the inevitable engine swap myself.
Realistcally you WILL need the following:
rear beam - you can get a decent rebuilt one for £300-400.
New engine and box: £150-200, I'd be tempted to pop in a 1.9, but maybe keep it original and go for a 1.6 for a few quid less.
On top of that you'll need consumables. New tyres - £160 for toyo t1rs. I'd be very tempted to put new suspension on it - say £250 for some Eibachs and Bilstein stuff from ECP. Might need a new cambelt + waterpump for the engine - £80.
New brakes, brakelines - £200+
Other random bits: fuel lines/bushes/clutch cable/radiator hoses/ £150.
A decent half leather interior is c. £300 nowadays, maybe more.
If you're willing to do the work yourself then go for it as long as you are happy with the costs above. You'll get your money back when you'll sell it as long as the chassis is sound (check the rear arches by the sill, inner wings and underneath of the boot floor).
If you can't hold a spanner the right way round and are just going to let a mechanic do it then obviously costs spiral.
They're very easy to work on and lovely cars, I'd be very tempted to keep it as original as possible. My car is fully sorted, but all the go faster bits on it depress the price now that I'm looking to sell it.
Good luck, and get some pics up!
Realistcally you WILL need the following:
rear beam - you can get a decent rebuilt one for £300-400.
New engine and box: £150-200, I'd be tempted to pop in a 1.9, but maybe keep it original and go for a 1.6 for a few quid less.
On top of that you'll need consumables. New tyres - £160 for toyo t1rs. I'd be very tempted to put new suspension on it - say £250 for some Eibachs and Bilstein stuff from ECP. Might need a new cambelt + waterpump for the engine - £80.
New brakes, brakelines - £200+
Other random bits: fuel lines/bushes/clutch cable/radiator hoses/ £150.
A decent half leather interior is c. £300 nowadays, maybe more.
If you're willing to do the work yourself then go for it as long as you are happy with the costs above. You'll get your money back when you'll sell it as long as the chassis is sound (check the rear arches by the sill, inner wings and underneath of the boot floor).
If you can't hold a spanner the right way round and are just going to let a mechanic do it then obviously costs spiral.
They're very easy to work on and lovely cars, I'd be very tempted to keep it as original as possible. My car is fully sorted, but all the go faster bits on it depress the price now that I'm looking to sell it.
Good luck, and get some pics up!
The Crack Fox said:
I think I get you, OP. I would get a garage to do the work, tell them you want the minimum doing to get it safe and roadworthy, it's not a resto project with unlimited funds. Then perhaps when it's up and running you can start to improve any old bits as you go along.
Do it. You'll regret it if you don't
Provided I can get an engine and ancillaries I think I will.Do it. You'll regret it if you don't
I have owned the car since the early nineties. It is very original but very neglected.
I want it to stay as a 1.6.
I don't want it modified in any way.
I have no mechanical ability at all.
It will be used for general, boring hatchback duties - not tracked, rallied, shown etc. etc.
Insane? Maybe, but I saw one being loaded up with shopping outside Sainsbury's the other week and it made me smile. The alternative is sell it for £500 and spend a couple of grand on the newest Polo 1.0 I can find.
And now it's a sunny Friday, so a beer garden beckons.
Thanks everyone.
Might be worth getting a few quotes for repairs, if that's the route you decide to go down. Sounds like the quote you have would get it legal/running/MOT'd but no more - the 1.6 GTI is worth a fair bit less (like for like) than the 1.9, but even so you'd get your money back if the paintwork is decent. At that point it would be useable, but you'd need to expect ongoing fettling! Costs of parts etc are quite low, and there's loads of info and guidance to be gained from the 205 GTI drivers forum. A major advantage of yours to you is that you've owned it for so long.
If you can't face the above, then stick it on eBay - probably worth £500 as it is. A decent 1.6 is probably circa £2k, and a reasonable 1.9 perhaps £3k (though are selling at up to £12k+ depending on condition/mileage/provenance. I recently sold mine (phone 'rang off the hook' as they say at £4.5k). I then regretted selling it so much I bought another shortly after
In summary:
1) Keep it.
2) Register on the 205 forum.
3) Get it running, and see if you still love it.
If you can't face the above, then stick it on eBay - probably worth £500 as it is. A decent 1.6 is probably circa £2k, and a reasonable 1.9 perhaps £3k (though are selling at up to £12k+ depending on condition/mileage/provenance. I recently sold mine (phone 'rang off the hook' as they say at £4.5k). I then regretted selling it so much I bought another shortly after
In summary:
1) Keep it.
2) Register on the 205 forum.
3) Get it running, and see if you still love it.
Edited by johnnyBv8 on Friday 6th June 18:29
Roy Lime said:
Looking for ideas and opinions on this please.
I have a '91 205 1.6 GTI which has been standing for about five years. Before it was laid up it suffered a cracked block which was successfully patched up with Lock'n'stitch (or something like that). It won't start, the brakes are seized and I know the exhaust and battery need replacing. The shell is, although scruffy, very solid.
Mechanic (I have no mechanical knowledge or ability at all) tells me the airflow meter is likely knackered. With the car standing so long, he also thinks the fuel may have gone off and knackered the injectors (hence not starting). He's quoted me about a grand to replace all the brake parts, battery and exhaust, MOT it and fit a replacement engine and ancillaries (which I'll still need to source from somewhere).
If I was able to put the car back on the road it would be used for shopping trips and general hatchback duties. It wouldn't be used as a rally car, track car, road racer or show car. I just need a hatchback, have owned the 205 for many years and (foolishly) think it would be a shame to scrap it.
I'm asking on here because I've tried other forums and all I get is "advice" along the lines of 'drop a 306 Turbo in it M8' and 'Got a 1.9 ere bud' etc. Pistonheads, obviously, has a different class of punter.
What do you think I should do?
Recommission it but keep it standard. 205s are cracking fun. I have a '91 205 1.6 GTI which has been standing for about five years. Before it was laid up it suffered a cracked block which was successfully patched up with Lock'n'stitch (or something like that). It won't start, the brakes are seized and I know the exhaust and battery need replacing. The shell is, although scruffy, very solid.
Mechanic (I have no mechanical knowledge or ability at all) tells me the airflow meter is likely knackered. With the car standing so long, he also thinks the fuel may have gone off and knackered the injectors (hence not starting). He's quoted me about a grand to replace all the brake parts, battery and exhaust, MOT it and fit a replacement engine and ancillaries (which I'll still need to source from somewhere).
If I was able to put the car back on the road it would be used for shopping trips and general hatchback duties. It wouldn't be used as a rally car, track car, road racer or show car. I just need a hatchback, have owned the 205 for many years and (foolishly) think it would be a shame to scrap it.
I'm asking on here because I've tried other forums and all I get is "advice" along the lines of 'drop a 306 Turbo in it M8' and 'Got a 1.9 ere bud' etc. Pistonheads, obviously, has a different class of punter.
What do you think I should do?
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